Defendants in string of Tacoma home-invasion robberies sentenced to decades in prison

Two people were sentenced to long prison terms Monday for their participation in a series of home-invasion robberies that targeted Asian families in Tacoma two years ago.

A Pierce County jury in March convicted Soy Oeung, 22, and Azias Ross, 22, of multiple counts of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, unlawful imprisonment and second-degree assault, among others.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Felnagle sentenced Oeung to 34 years, nine months in prison and Ross to 42 years, three months.

Prosecutors said the two were part of a five-person ring that robbed and terrorized seven families across the city from January to August 2012. Some victims were tied up and threatened with weapons. All were robbed of cash, jewelry and other valuables.

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The robberies netted the group more than $80,000 in cash and goods, court records show.

“In the name of easy money, these defendants had no issue holding victims hostage, in their own homes, for hours on end, armed with guns,” deputy prosecutors Gregory Greer and Jesse Williams wrote in their sentencing memorandum.

“Victims who were seniors, grandparents and young children. Victims who were tied up and repeatedly threatened. Victims who truly believed they were going to die.”

Lawyers for Oeung and Ross argued their clients were bit players in the scheme and deserved more lenient sentences.

Co-defendant Nolan Chouap, 20, previously pleaded guilty to multiple counts of first-degree robbery and was sentenced earlier this month to 45 years in prison.

Ross’ brother, Azariah Ross, is set for trial later this year.

Prosecutors had to dismiss the charges against the fifth defendant after her co-defendants declined to testify against her, court records show.